FOLLOWUP: Healthy Street additions ‘not responsive to our concerns,’ says Alki Point For All

(SDOT current/future cross-section comparison, from project webpage)

For the first time since SDOT announced last Friday that it would proceed with the Alki Point Healthy Street plan, adding a few features, we’re hearing from the group that had been fighting the plan. Alki Point For All says it wants to clarify that the SDOT changes did not constitute a compromise. Here’s their statement:

Last week the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced that it is proceeding with construction at Alki Point, with changes based on community feedback, including ours. To clear up any confusion caused by that announcement, the changes are not responsive to our concerns. SDOT has not addressed the substantive issues we have raised regarding the harmful impact of this project on social equity, safety, and marine education and conservation. At a recent meeting we encouraged SDOT to consider solutions that would better meet the needs of the wider community, while still achieving its goals. The small cosmetic changes announced last week bear little resemblance to the ideas we proposed, as described below.

1. Transformative Art. We encouraged SDOT to consider street art as way to organically slow traffic and increase safety. Bloomberg Philanthropies has proven this concept in projects all over the country: Asphalt Art Initiative and Asphalt Art Safety Study. We suggested that local artists like the Youngstown Arts Collective could be engaged to create the design. In piloting this approach, Alki Point could serve as a model for other Healthy Streets, and bring communities together rather than dividing them. Instead, SDOT will add decorative art to their existing design — missing the point, and the opportunity.

2. Welcome Signs. We proposed replacing the Street Closed signs with signs that said “Welcome to Constellation Marine Reserve. Go Slow.” The goal of that change was to alert drivers they are entering a special place, and encourage (or require) them to slow down, while at the same time welcoming the public to use a public space. SDOT liked our idea for “Welcome” signs, but plans to install them in addition to, not instead of, the Street Closed signs. It’s hard to imagine a more confusing message: welcome, and stay away.

3. Bus Parking. SDOT’s solution is insufficient for the need—the spaces they’ve identified are too small. When students come to Alki Point for field trips, the number of busses can range from two to nineteen. We recommended that SDOT contact schools to determine the actual need.

4. Time / Area Closures. Instead of a permanent “rolling” lane, we proposed using time and area closures such as car-free Sundays. Shorter temporary closures would be safer for people who want to recreate in the street, and allow more people to access the area year-round. That suggestion was ignored.

In October 2022, SDOT announced its preferred design for Alki Point, which called for the loss of five parking spaces on Alki Ave SW. In December 2023, the agency revealed its final design, which for the first time included the addition of a “rolling” lane and the loss of 62 parking spaces along the west side Beach Drive. These significant changes were made too late for public comment, without stakeholder notification or engagement, and in violation of their own guidelines for Healthy Streets.

SDOT has broken faith with its constituents in both how its decisions were made and how they are described. This latest announcement is more of the same. We expect more from a city that values transparency and accountability in governing. Nearly 1800 people have signed our petition asking the Mayor to halt this project.

So beyond this statement, what does the coalition plan to do? we asked on followup. Spokesperson Donna Sandstrom replied, “We are considering our next steps. Our goal in writing this was to set the public record straight – SDOT’s announcement created a false impression that they were responsive to community feedback. They were not. For now we are still encouraging people to sign our petition. We’re working on a website and reaching out to the people who came to our meeting. We see this as the first leg of a relay. We didn’t achieve our first goal of halting construction, but we are confident that this wrong will be righted in the long run.” She says the group also is heartened that City Councilmember Rob Saka has pledged to evaluate the project in the fall. Meantime, SDOT said earlier this week that construction of the permanent features, including a walking-and-rolling path replacing waterfront parking spots, will resume as soon as this Saturday (June 1).

82 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: Healthy Street additions 'not responsive to our concerns,' says Alki Point For All"

  • Walkerws May 30, 2024 (8:12 pm)

    Soon enough this project will be done and we won’t have to listen to these people continuing to whine about a nice improvement to Alki. 

    • Canton May 30, 2024 (11:00 pm)

      Just curious walker,… Who anointed you king/queen of West Seattle opinions?

      • behold May 31, 2024 (12:05 am)

        I did. I was appointed mayor, king, and president of West Seattle after my neighbor Andre saw me throw a Frisbee like 400 feet two weekends ago. It is my authority to appoint West Seattle opinions and I have granted WalkerWs full authorization.

        • Duchess of the Rocky Beach May 31, 2024 (6:10 am)

          All Hail King of Alki!!! 🐬 

        • Canton May 31, 2024 (7:57 am)

          Well, you beat me by 30 feet, how should I inscribe the BK crown?

    • Ross May 31, 2024 (1:34 pm)

      Haha far from nice improvement…

  • WestSide Lover May 30, 2024 (8:34 pm)

    WoW, can you really believe this…SDOT didn’t LISTEN again.  Seems they call a meeting for input then just let it roll off their back and push forward on what they were going to do ANYWAY.  I thought they said they would HALT what they are doing until after meeting the people who are MOST affected by their breach in our trust.What is so wrong with these ‘politicians’?  What SDOT is doing is ALL WRONG.  They should be ‘listening’ to US.  Instead of going down their merry way with their plan and not our concerns.

    • Sincerely May 31, 2024 (8:59 am)

      It’s a complete fake out again and again by SDOT…. They are required to.’listen.’ to communities, but they do what they damn well want to do anyway.  

      • Walkerws May 31, 2024 (9:29 am)

        What makes you think SDOT isn’t listening? They’re listening to the loud, car addicted minority who wants to stifle progress. They’re also listening to the majority that wants this change (my friends, family, and I have been regularly writing to SDOT and Rob Saka in support of this project). They’re listening to the majority. 

  • Sam May 30, 2024 (8:41 pm)

    I look forward to biking through with my kids. Alki Point will be so much nicer without so many idling cars clogging the waterfront.

    • Alki resident May 30, 2024 (9:04 pm)

      Cars will still be idling. Where did you get the impression this was going to be car free?

      • Walkerws May 30, 2024 (9:36 pm)

        The water side will be car free, and that’s the side people tend to idle at. 

        • Alki resident May 30, 2024 (10:07 pm)

          Cars idle both directions. Nothing’s changed. 

          • Tyler May 31, 2024 (8:57 am)

            This is wrong. It will be a significant change. 

      • B. Healthy May 31, 2024 (10:12 am)

        For those that don’t know what it was like before the Healthy Street designation. https://vimeo.com/442450997

        • josh May 31, 2024 (11:48 am)

          Great video.

        • Gary Richardson May 31, 2024 (9:39 pm)

          I noticed a car or two parked on the water side in the after clips.Was this a parking violation?

        • 1994 May 31, 2024 (9:57 pm)

          Hey – it looks like bicycle Sunday arrived for Alki except it is not just Sundays! but will be full time round the clock.  I wonder if the Lake WA Blvd residents will petition the SDOT for a permanent bicycle Sunday like Alki is getting….

  • Sigh May 30, 2024 (9:05 pm)

    SDOT did listen to you, they just didn’t agree with you.  Just because they didn’t implement exactly what you asked for doesn’t mean they didn’t take your feedback into account and it doesn’t mean they didn’t compromise.  You can’t always get what you want, and accusing SDOT of ignoring you when they have done quite the opposite is ugly, uncalled for, and a waste of everyone’s time.  You lost.  Move on.

    • 1994 May 30, 2024 (10:40 pm)

      Vote NO to on the new transpo levy. That is my move on move.

      • Denden May 31, 2024 (9:28 am)

        That is what I will be doing!

      • AK May 31, 2024 (10:01 am)

        I will be voting no as well.

      • Gary Richardson May 31, 2024 (9:45 pm)

        Agreed, I hope to see more done.

      • Reed June 1, 2024 (8:35 am)

        You all do realize that the vast majority of projects proposed under the transportation levy are overtly car-centric, right? Cuts of nose to spite face.

  • Delridgedriver May 30, 2024 (9:33 pm)

    These car advocates have every right to say whatever they want, but don’t pretend you represent ‘all’. I’ve emailed SDOT to let them know they’re not going far enough here. They need to stop giving away our future to you car addicts. I’m tired of dodging you lawless jerks everywhere while you foul our air and water. At least we get 100 yards of relative peace here, but it’s not enough. I’ll keep fighting for future generations. 

    • Toot May 30, 2024 (10:01 pm)

      They should ban private cars there and on Alki Ave too

    • Canton May 30, 2024 (11:03 pm)

      “car addicts”….??? Weird handle then, delridge “driver”….

      • let's get rolling May 31, 2024 (11:48 am)

        guess what? you can have and use a car and still understand there places better off without them! 

        • Canton May 31, 2024 (9:44 pm)

          Oh, so you can be hypocritical with one hand, and judge with another hand; seems typical with today’s society. 

          • Walkerws June 1, 2024 (6:48 am)

            Nothing hypocritical about it. One can own and use a car and still realize that this park – annd many other places – isn’t the place for them. 

    • Chris May 31, 2024 (11:14 am)

      What a hero.  🙄

    • Gary Richardson May 31, 2024 (9:55 pm)

      There is a little bias here.What they are proposing to do is worse than what currently stands.The video posted in the comments above shows a different before and after than what would be realized with eliminating 62 parking spaces.I don’t want the car racing, loud music, and unsafe conditions. I love having a quiet and peaceful place to relax and enjoy the view.I just think there can be some better thoughts out into it to make a win-win.

  • Sol May 30, 2024 (9:33 pm)

    I’m looking forward to the improvement! I’m glad SDOT is listening to the people.

  • MacJ May 30, 2024 (9:54 pm)

    I’m tired of these folks wasting our time and money. SDOT has a perfectly good plan.

  • Bbron May 30, 2024 (9:58 pm)

    thinking signs will “encourage (or require) [drivers] to slow down” (emphasis mine) is very telling where these folks’ mindset is at. the only way to ensure safety for vulnerable folks is the have infrastructures that separates them from cars. drivers have proven time and time again they do no adhere to rules in good faith. it’s wild to find out that the founder of The Whale Trail is a car maximalists, and has self deputized themselves as an expert of infrastructure to be able to state that their recommendations “would better meet the needs of the wider community”. i wonder if they’ll end up confronting that a large reason why those whales they love are endangered is due to the direct impact of cars and their runoff which occurs more readily the closer and longer cars are around shorelines.

    • Donna, The Whale Trail May 30, 2024 (11:10 pm)

      Alki Point is poorly served by public transportation, and the only way that most people can get there is by car.

      For us, the greater good is served by helping as many people as possible connect to the Salish Sea and its creatures. People protect what they love, and watching southern residents from shore at Alki Point has played a meaningful role in orca recovery.

      The southern residents are in this area October through February. How many people will be using the rolling lane in November, compared to how many people will lose the chance to watch J pod rounding the point?

      The cost / benefit of this design doesn’t bear out – there are solutions that would work better for everyone.

      • Alki Local May 31, 2024 (12:25 am)

        Hmm, whenever there is mention of a whale sighting on the WSB, dozens of people routinely show up ON FOOT along the paved walkway next to the breakfront at Alki Beach Park, in all sorts of weather, some with binoculars at the ready. Beach Drive is not the sole locale for this activity.

      • CommonCents May 31, 2024 (8:40 am)

        I think the cost/benefit of The Whale Trail’s campaign against this doesn’t bear out.  Parking is being provided, people will still be able to park and view the whales. It’s entirely possible that this project will actually make it easier and more pleasant for more people to view whales. Try to keep an open mind and tone down the messaging that makes it seem like access is being revoked from everyone. You might be doing more damage to your own organization and advocacy by pushing against the healthy street project so aggressively. 

        • Donna, The Whale Trail May 31, 2024 (10:30 am)

          We’ve been helping people watch whales from shore at Alki Point since The Whale Trail’s founding in 2008. We bring binoculars and help people learn about the whales they are seeing.

          From our outreach we learned that people came to Alki Point from all over the world. The diversity of the crowds made the experience even better.

          That all changed when the Street Closed signs went in. The crowds grew more homogenous. The loss of parking will make that worse.

          SDOT’s goal of limiting access to this place is at odds with our mission of reaching a broad and diverse public, in which the City has been a partner for more than a decade. These changes, and this loss, have direct bearing on our work.

          • Know Your Facts May 31, 2024 (11:20 am)

            Emma Schmitz Park is another locale for whale watching as posted on the Whale Trail website. That makes three nearby locations (Alki Beach Park, Charles Ritchie Viewpoint, and Emma Schmitz Park) for people to view whales and other marine life. Seems like people have numerous options for this activity depending on their transportation choices.

        • Where's the Logic May 31, 2024 (9:23 pm)

          The street closed signs went up at the same time the world was experiencing a pandemic. How can the signs be responsible for a more homogeneous group of people showing up when the fact is no one was traveling due to the pandemic? Only locals could show up. Check your logic.

      • C May 31, 2024 (8:23 pm)

        Just noting that I will 100% be down there in winter and be thankful for the wider sidewalk. 

        • Alki Local June 1, 2024 (10:44 am)

          In regards to statements about poor public transportation to this area, there is a bus stop at Admiral and 63rd, just two blocks from Constellation Park/Beach Drive. Seems like a good selling point to get people there. Lots of people routinely walk two blocks to catch a bus, this shouldn’t be considered a deterrent. 

  • Tracey May 30, 2024 (10:01 pm)

    Thank you Alki Point for All.  Some of us understand what we are about to lose.    People in the new rolling lane need to get there somehow.   Either they drive or they roll on an unhealthy street.  A two or three block healthy street.  Come on.

    • Walkerws May 31, 2024 (6:44 am)

      All you’re “about to lose” is a park that isn’t as nice as it could be. In its place you’ll get a nicer one, and maybe a reprieve from car addictions. 

  • Jon Wright May 30, 2024 (10:42 pm)

    I always enjoy euphemistically named organizations like Blah Blah Blah For All. If they have to explicitly say “For All” you know they really aren’t for all. And just because the noisiest people do not get their way does not mean government is not listening. I am DELIGHTED that this project is happening and I look forward to heading down to there with my family to enjoy it.

    • Canton May 31, 2024 (9:48 pm)

      Appreciate your opinion, realize it’s just a small sample of many options…

  • WS Resident May 30, 2024 (10:56 pm)

    Time to find your next side project Alki Point For All. You’ve lost this battle (thankfully)!

  • let's get rolling May 30, 2024 (11:08 pm)

    “…not responsive to our concerns”

    GOOD

  • Bbron May 31, 2024 (1:41 am)

    SDOT seems to be responsive to the folks that helped kick this off in 2020: https://vimeo.com/442450997 be careful watching if you think it’s just gonna be millionaire homeowners; you might realize you’re wrong.

    • Kyle May 31, 2024 (11:49 am)

      All I saw was footage from a million dollar home of people with cars on the street and someone filming them. Reducing access to all is a blunt tool instead of working with police for those engaging in illegal activity. For me personally, I didn’t engage in any of that activity but still feels like my access has been targeted and reduced. 

      • Bbron May 31, 2024 (12:10 pm)

        you totally skip the last 80% of the video? you want your means of transportation to be eternally catered to, but can’t be bothered to watch 5 minutes of folks of a different opinion, from all around Seattle, showing support for a permanent Alki Point Healthy Street?

      • foop May 31, 2024 (12:53 pm)

        Is a million a lot in our current housing market? The tail end of the video interviews people from all over. I live in Highland park and I love riding through here. My partner who gets very nervous riding with cars will come here with me (via car) and we will park and ride along this stretch to get to Alki and it’s a lot easier for them to share the road in this space than in an open lane where cars seemingly ‘own the road’.They’re still nervous cause of all the bullies in cars but the healthy street really helps.

  • tenlow May 31, 2024 (2:42 am)

    If they want to make this a pedestrian friendly park, they should go all in and get rid of the sidewalk and streets around alki point and make it a greenway. The wealthy waterfront landowners who lobbied the city for this wanted their private waterfront park, so let’s give them their private waterfront park. There is plenty of parking on 63rd and on admiral, no need to let cars past that. 

    • B. Healthy May 31, 2024 (10:06 am)

      There are plenty of us non-wealthy here who live in apartments on Alki. Broad generalizations are dumb and insensitive.

    • let's get rolling May 31, 2024 (3:29 pm)

      Don’t threaten me with a good time!

      I don’t own waterfront property and I’d love the area to be pedestrian/human-powered wheels only someday. In meantime, I look forward to this improvement.

    • Canton May 31, 2024 (9:53 pm)

      Even Broadmoor, near lake Washington, paid for the whole tract of property, before they gated it. Are we gonna start gating off WS?

      • Walkerws May 31, 2024 (10:55 pm)

        What are you on about? Every single person is still welcome at Alki Point. Just a few hunks of metal aren’t. 

  • wetone May 31, 2024 (8:35 am)

    What do you all expect from SDOT ? as they have been only working for 3+ years on this project and still aren’t 100% done with final design…….. once again spending tax dollars on something that didn’t need fixed……go figure 

  • Kolea May 31, 2024 (8:49 am)

    Removing the parking spaces on Benton screws over the residents of the apartments there. I’m not sure where they’re supposed to park now but this was a dumb oversight to not understand that.

  • B. Healthy May 31, 2024 (9:32 am)

    There are always a few people that somehow manage to sleep through three years of efforts by the community and the city to do outreach. Surveys were done by the city. Signs were out for months requesting feedback to the three options the city provided. The non-shoreline parking is still available and people can sit in their cars and smoke pot if they want. The rest of us will enjoy staying healthy by walking/rolling/jogging in the new 10 extra feet reclaimed from the street.

    • Kyle May 31, 2024 (11:50 am)

      The survey was biased from the start and left no option to not tear up the street and reduce parking. If “leave it as it is” was an option bet that would have been the clear winner.

  • West Sider May 31, 2024 (10:39 am)

    A look at the new No Parking signs now fouling the skyline signals to me this will be poorly implemented by SDOT. They’ve barely started and it looks hideous.

    • foop May 31, 2024 (12:55 pm)

      They are some of the thinnest and least obtrusive signs I have ever seen and are likely temporary given the rolling lane going in. They aren’t much to look at but they are a lot nicer than idling minivans. To say they are ‘fouling our skyline’ is such ridiculous hyperbole.

  • PB May 31, 2024 (2:07 pm)

    Woohoo, One Way traffic!!!!!!!!  Stop with the nonsense and let SDOT get it done.  Change for the better is not to be feared.

  • Beach Bum May 31, 2024 (2:09 pm)

    Not agreeing with you doesn’t mean SDOT didn’t listen. They listened to everyone and realized that the biggest benefit for everyone – truly ALL, unlike the misnamed group trying to keep Alki ground zero for idling cars and unsafe driving – is making the point pedestrian and family friendly. We can’t wait!

  • Art May 31, 2024 (2:46 pm)

    Woohoo! Go SDOT!

  • Pelicans May 31, 2024 (4:00 pm)

    Nowhere has SDOT yet said this will be a ONE-WAY street. Unless they change their plans, it will remain a TWO-WAY street confined to one traffic lane, and it will be a mess on busy summer days.  Up until now, on those days two-way traffic was also confined to one lane because of the line of cars PARKED on the waterside.Be careful what you wish for. 

  • TAnderson May 31, 2024 (5:39 pm)

    It won’t be a one way street because that would be too inconvenient for the resident/proponents of this plan

  • David Hutchinson May 31, 2024 (6:20 pm)

    There are a couple differences before and after – If you
    check the SDOT diagram at the top of this story, you will notice that the
    driving lane has been reduced from 16 feet wide to 11 feet wide. Also, in the
    past you could find gaps between parked cars on the water side or the residential
    side to pull  into to let an oncoming vehicle
    get past you. Now the water side walking/rolling lane will be separated from
    vehicles by a row of concrete wheel stops. Cars that have previously parked on
    the water side will now take up additional parking spaces on the residential
    side. I agree, on busy summer days, it certainly has the potential of creating
    a mess.

  • GreenLakesLover May 31, 2024 (6:37 pm)

    Will Whale Trail and  Seal Sitters ever be fact checked or expected to back up their claims with  data? Using this current post as an example: how many  student field trips have visited  Alki Pt. in the last 10 years and when/ if they did occur, how many buses were used on each occasion?   

    • Donna, The Whale Trail June 1, 2024 (9:41 am)

      The range in this statement (2 to 19) came from personal observations of members of our group, who have been leading low-tide explorations at Alki Point for decades. (Leo Shaw started the Beach Naturalist program when he was the Education Director for the Seattle Aquarium.) The most that they counted on one day was 19 busses.

      We agree that it’s a good idea for SDOT to talk with schools and understand the current and projected needs. Without places for the busses to park, the school programs are at risk of ending.

      • Alki Local June 1, 2024 (10:36 am)

        Buses have also been seen parking on 63rd street when it’s busy, somehow the drivers figure out where to park. They don’t all have to fit on Beach Drive.

      • Curious June 1, 2024 (11:25 am)

        Shouldn’t the Beach Naturalist Program coordinate with the schools and schedule how many buses can reasonably be accommodated at a given time? I usually see just a handful of buses in general, 19 buses seems like a real outlier. To say the program is at risk of ending seems like an exaggeration without  looking at other solutions.

        • M3 June 2, 2024 (10:20 am)

          I understand the Aquarium’s position on SDOT’s plan in Neutral – neither for or against.    The Beach Naturalists in your group are not speaking on behalf of the Aquarium or the Beach Naturalist program as a whole. The one or two folks you quote are speaking solely for themselves as individuals and NOT for the Beach Naturalist Program or the Aquarium.  Correct???

  • Roget May 31, 2024 (8:42 pm)

    You know what’s funny about this? The idea that an additional set of rules or laws are going to be enforced by the police department. What makes anyone think that there’s going to be any enforcement of these changes? We have plenty of healthy streets around where I live, and it sure seems to me like there are still people who drive up and down them. Just as there are stop signs that people don’t stop at, and heck cars driving around without license plates that are going through those stop signs. Oh, and a city wide 25 mph speed limit…

    • Walkerws June 1, 2024 (1:30 pm)

      Sounds like a policing problem to me, which is entirely separate from the nice improvements this project is making to Alki Point. 

  • Gaslit May 31, 2024 (9:33 pm)

    As I drove through this street tonight around 5pm on a Friday with beautiful weather outside, I fully expected to see tons of people walking, running, biking and rolling. What I saw was a bunch of people walking on the sidewalk. 2 people riding their bikes, one runner and zero “rollers”. This is a joke. 

  • Bob June 1, 2024 (11:36 am)

    Defund SDOT 100%.

    • Walkerws June 1, 2024 (1:29 pm)

      You realize that 99% of what SDOT does still promotes our out of date car-centric infrastructure, right? The pittance of pedestrian and cyclist centric projects offends you so deeply that you want them defunded?

  • Matthieu June 3, 2024 (10:10 pm)

    I live in the area and I am happy to have the cycling path opening for my daughters. For people who say SDOT is not listening,  there was a survey available for 2+ years. Did all 1800 people fill this questionnaire? I know I did. Walk a little guys, it is not bad for you.

Sorry, comment time is over.